Baseball is almost here! There are two games on Thursday, then the rest of the teams play on Friday. Let’s look through American League Summer Camp News and include a quick list of players with COVID-19 and injury/rehab concerns. Last week’s American League Summer Camp News can be found here.
COVID-19 concerns includes players that have been diagnosed or tested positive. The injury/rehab list includes players with injury concerns whether it be a prior or current injury. Let’s dive into the American League Summer Camp News.
Summer Camp News – AL East
The American League Summer Camp News from the AL East includes a ton of Yankees again. The Yankees’ hitters appear to be healthy and raking, especially Aaron Judge. Austin Meadows landed on the injured list, and Yoshi Tsutsugo projects to hit in the top half of the Rays’ lineup.
COVID-19 Concerns
- Eduardo Rodriguez
- D.J. LeMahieu
- Aroldis Chapman
- Austin Meadows
Injury/Rehab Concerns
- Chase Anderson
- Masahiro Tanaka
Toronto Blue Jays
- Trent Thornton locked up a rotation spot with Chase Anderson starting on the injured list.
- Hyun-Jin Ryu expects to throw six innings over the weekend.
- Rowdy Tellez mashed three home runs during two scrimmages. Late source of power, but a platoon bat against right-handed pitchers batting in the bottom of the Blue Jays lineup.
- The Blue Jays plan to heavily use Ken Giles this season, so that’s good news if he’s on your team.
- Lourdes Gurriel Jr. exited with side discomfort during Friday’s scrimmage. He’s considered day-to-day, and took live batting practice on Tuesday.
Baltimore Orioles
- John Means will miss his first start, so Tommy Milone will be the Opening Day starter.
- Hunter Harvey has arm fatigue and that’s never good to hear about a pitcher. He’s currently day-to-day.
- Anthony Santander played in Monday’s exhibition game. He batted third in front of Renato Nunez.
- Austin Hays left Sunday’s game after a hit-by-pitch to his knee, but expects to be fine.
Tampa Bay Rays
- Ryan Yarbrough threw 87 pitches in Monday’s scrimmage. He’s expected to start in the second game against the Blue Jays.
- Yoshi Tsutsugo likely to bat in the top half of the Rays’ lineup. On Roster Resource he’s projected to bat leadoff for the time being.
- Brendan McKay hasn’t shown up to summer camp yet.
- After being away from the team, Yonny Chirinos participated in practice on Sunday and noted he experienced mild COVID-19 symptoms. Apparently Chirinos plans to be ready for Opening Day.
- Manager Kevin Cash noted Trevor Richards could throw at least five innings when the season starts, so we may see him make starts during the season.
- Austin Meadows hit the 10-day injured list after testing positive for COVID-19. His status for Opening Day appears uncertain at this point.
- Mike Zunino crushed two home runs in a simulated game on Wednesday. We’ll see if his extra work in the batting cage pays off during the season.
- After returning to camp, Diego Castillo missed practice due to family-related issues back home.
Boston Red Sox
- Rafael Devers expects to bat second in the Red Sox lineup.
- Martin Perez threw six scoreless innings with six strikeouts and no walks during an intrasquad scrimmage. Take what you want since it was against his own team.
- The battle for the leadoff spot against lefties boils down to Jose Peraza and Kevin Pillar.
- Xander Bogaerts left Sunday’s game due to a tight hamstring, but returned to the lineup on Tuesday.
- After testing positive for COVID-19, Darwinzon Hernandez arrived in Boston so he may be close to returning.
- Eduardo Rodriguez reported to camp and this comes after being on the COVID-19 injured list. He also stated he experienced full symptoms and hadn’t been that sick in his life.
- The Red Sox named Brandon Workman the closer. Let’s also note that he’s struggled a bit during summer camp, especially during Friday’s scrimmage where he gave up four runs in one inning.
New York Yankees
- The Yankees optioned Jordan Montgomery to the alternate training site. This comes as a surprise because Montgomery looked to take the fifth starter spot. There’s speculation that Aaron Boone plans to have the extra reliever with their first game on Thursday and an off day on Friday.
- Although he’s made progress, Masahiro Tanaka will miss his first start. The Yankees don’t have a fifth starter listed on Roster Resource yet. Every day we hear positive summer camp news about Tanaka after that scary incident.
- James Paxton tossed a 84 pitch simulated game and should be ready for a full workload to start the year.
- Aaron Hicks says he feels good and ready to go for the start of the season. He batted fifth in the recent exhibition game.
- Aaron Judge crushed two home runs against the Mets on Sunday, then another homer on Monday. One of the homers came off an inside pitch that he turned on.
.@TheJudge44 showing off that power. 💪 pic.twitter.com/gLzs0xpZxU
— MLB (@MLB) July 19, 2020
- Aroldis Chapman was labeled as doubtful for Opening Day.
- Clint Frazier appears to have changed his swing, and smacked a home run during an exhibition game on Saturday. I noticed a more closed stance when compared to a more open stance last year.
If Clint Frazier can hit an absolute bomb of a home run wearing a mask, then you can wear a mask. 🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/4Fsn2BYbO8
— Yankees Videos (@snyyankees) July 19, 2020
- Gio Urshela left practice with an injury, but it doesn’t appear to be serious.
- Gerrit Cole looked great in his last start before the regular season. He worked up to 87 pitches in 5.2 innings with seven strikeouts.
- Domingo German initially announced his retirement from baseball on Friday, then deleted the post and possibly changed his mind.
- D.J. LeMahieu tested positive for COVID-19 and landed on the 10-day injured list. He returned to action, played in two exhibition games, and batted leadoff in both games.
Summer Camp News – AL Central
American League summer camp news is highlighted with the Franchy Cordero trade. Casey Mize and Matt Manning were both sent to the Tigers’ alternate camp. Yoan Moncada finally reported, and Luis Robert rocked two home runs.
COVID-19 Concerns
- Brad Keller
- Miguel Sano
- Willians Astudillo
Opting Out
- Michael Kopech
Injury/Rehab Concerns
- Byron Buxton
- Delino DeShields
Cleveland Indians
- The Indians will start four switch hitters 1-4 in the lineup with Cesar Hernandez, Jose Ramirez, Francisco Lindor, and Carlos Santana.
Kansas City Royals
- The Royals acquired power-hitting lefty Franchy Cordero from the Padres. He’s projected to play centerfield against right-handed pitchers.
Detroit Tigers
- Michael Fulmer will be used in a piggyback role so he could vulture wins to start the season.
- Casey Mize and Matt Manning both were sent to the Tigers’ alternate training site.
- Daniel Norris plans to join the team by early next week after testing positive for COVID-19.
Minnesota Twins
- Miguel Sano played in a scrimmage for the first time on Sunday. Sano stated he’s not 100%, so he might get off to a slow start.
- Jake Odorizzi’s dealing with stiffness in his upper back. In a scrimmage last week, he threw 79 pitches with five scoreless innings and five strikeouts.
- Byron Buxton ran in the outfield over the weekend, participated in a workout on Monday, and expected to face live pitching on Tuesday. It appears he’s making progress after injuring his left foot. He’s still considered day-to-day.
- Twins’ manager Rocco Baldelli noted that Mitch Garver will split time with backup catcher Alex Avila. However, Garver split time with Jason Castro last year and still produced.
- Luis Arraez appeared to be dealing with knee soreness, but he was back in the lineup for Saturday’s scrimmage.
Chicago White Sox
- Nomar Mazara missed Monday’s exhibition game due to an illness.
- Luis Robert smacked two home runs during an intrasquad game on Saturday.
- Yoan Moncada finally reported to camp on Thursday. He also noted that he tested positive for COVID-19, which explained his absence. He batted second during the recent exhibition games.
- Dallas Keuchel says he plans to pitch exclusively from the stretch and states “the stretch has felt so locked in that I might just go with that.” Could be an impactful change for Keuchel.
- Lucas Giolito worked through some struggles in a four-inning scrimmage on Monday.
Summer Camp News – AL West
The Astros and Athletics headline summer camp news in the AL West once again. Jesus Luzardo’s behind schedule and A.J. Puk landed on the injured list with a shoulder injury. Such a bummer for Puk and the Athletics pitching staff. Mike Trout plans to play in 2020.
COVID-19 Concerns
- Julio Teheran
- Jesus Luzardo
Injury/Rehab Concerns
- Jose Urquidy
- Yordan Alvarez
- Mitch Haniger
- Robinson Chirinos
- Willie Calhoun
- A.J. Puk
Los Angeles Angels
- Mike Trout looks to be ready for Opening Day. He’ll likely miss time at some point due to the birth of his child.
- Griffin Canning looked good during Monday’s exhibition game with five strikeouts in six scoreless innings. I’m still worried about the elbow injury, but maybe I shouldn’t be?
Canning out here throwing ridiculous first pitch sliders pic.twitter.com/1w7GLkHeUM
— Alex Fast (@AlexFast8) July 21, 2020
- Shohei Ohtani struggled with command in his last start during an intrasquad game. He threw 72 pitches in five innings with four walks and five strikeouts.
- Julio Teheran noted that he missed time due to COVID-19 and experienced symptoms in late June. It sounds like he’ll gradually ramp up and may be about a week behind.
- Jo Adell’s struggling on defense, and it seems like another reason to keep him down.
- Andrew Heaney appears to be dealing with back stiffness, but says he’s fine and ready for Opening Day.
- Brian Goodwin fouled a ball off his knee and left Friday’s scrimmage. Not super fantasy-relevant, but something to monitor because he’s their starting right fielder.
- Anthony Rendon didn’t participate in Friday’s scrimmage due to oblique tightness. He’s considered day-to-day, and may not be ready for Opening Day. It’s worrisome to see an oblique injury in summer camp news for any player.
- Dylan Bundy tossed five innings with eight strikeouts during Tuesday’s scrimmage.
- Tommy La Stella could also spend time at first base, which would further add to his positional flexibility (assuming he receives enough games there). He’s slated to bat leadoff for an improved Angels’ lineup in front of Mike Trout, Anthony Rendon, and Shohei Ohtani.
Houston Astros
- Jose Altuve left Tuesday’s exhibition game after colliding at home plate. He appears to be dealing with a leg bruise and listed as day-to-day.
- Zack Greinke experienced fatigue after tossing 54 pitches in his previous start, but threw 80 pitches in a simulated game on Tuesday. He looks ready to start the season with a full workload.
- Aledmys Diaz could hit against lefties at DH, which means Diaz could platoon with Kyle Tucker. We thought Tucker might see more playing time since Yordan Alvarez landed on the injured list.
- The Astros named Ryan Pressly the closer for the time being due to the delayed start for Roberto Osuna. Worth an add on waivers if he’s available.
- Lance McCullers looked great during Monday’s exhibition game. The Astros are going to need him this season. In five innings, he threw 76 pitches and allowed one run with five strikeouts.
Lance McCullers, 96mph Fastball…and dismisses Salvy with his follow thru. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/NvYamxfaIf
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) July 21, 2020
- As expected, Josh James solidified a spot in the rotation.
- Roberto Osuna hasn’t thrown off a mound yet, but it doesn’t appear to be injury-related. It’s concerning to hear that he’s behind schedule and his Opening Day status looks worrisome.
- With the Pruitt injury, Framber Valdez looks to take the fifth starter spot
Oakland Athletics
- Ramon Laureano appears to be dealing with calf tightness. He hit second and played in centerfield in Tuesday’s exhibition game.
- A.J. Puk landed on the 10-day injured list due to a shoulder strain. That’s unfortunate summer camp news since he’s struggled with injuries in the past. He received a cortisone injection for his shoulder.
- While remaining in quarantine, Jesus Luzardo continues to workout at home. He’s cleared to return and threw a 30-pitch bullpen on Friday. Luzardo will likely start the season out of the bullpen.
- Chris Bassitt will start in the rotation since Luzardo’s a bit behind schedule.
Seattle Mariners
- Yusei Kikuchi pitched well in four innings during an intrasquad game. He’ll start in the third game of the season at the Astros.
- Evan White continues to crush the baseball and projects to bat eighth.
- Yoshihisa Hirano cleared COVID-19 protocol and attended practice over the weekend. Prior to this news, the Mariners expected to use four other closers in their committee, which included Matt Magill, Dan Altavilla, Anthony Misiewicz, and Austin Adams.
- Justin Dunn and Justus Sheffield have both been making improvements. Dunn finished with five strikeouts in three innings on Thursday, and his slider and curveball were particularly effective. Sheffield’s working on that two-seamer and allowed one run with four strikeouts in three innings of work.
- Tom Murphy returned to the lineup on Thursday after fouling a ball of his foot twice in the last week or so.
- One of their top prospects Julio Rodriguez suffered a broke wrist while diving for a ball. Hopefully he’s healthy and ready to go for 2021.
- Kyle Seager’s a name to watch as a deep sleeper. Seager finished 2019 with 17 home runs in the second half. During Tuesday’s scrimmage, he hit a home run and performed well during Spring Training.
- Initially, the Mariners stated it’s unlikely to have Jarred Kelenic up in 2020, but he’s raked in summer camp with two home runs in four games.
- After getting hit in the head, Jake Fraley cleared concussion protocol and practiced on Wednesday.
Texas Rangers
- Todd Frazier will start at first base and Isiah Kiner-Falefa will start at third base.
- With the news about Calhoun, Nick Solak looks to take his place in left field.
- It looks like Willie Calhoun won’t be ready for Opening Day after being diagnosed with a Grade 1 hip strain. However, he took at-bats on Sunday and Monday.
- Robinson Chirinos expects to be ready for Opening Day. Chirinos suffered a leg injury after a player slid into him and images on his ankle came back negative. He caught and batted seventh in Tuesday’s exhibition game.
- In Wednesday’s scrimmage, Corey Kluber tossed 98 pitches over 5.2 innings. Looks like he’s ready to go for a full workload to start the season. He finished the scrimmage with four hits, two runs, three walks, and four strikeouts.
Thank you for reading the American League Summer Camp News. Feel free to reach me on Twitter @corbin_young21 for any questions or comments.
Fantrax was one of the fastest-growing fantasy sites of 2019, and we’re not letting our foot off the pedal now! With multi-team trades, designated commissioner/league managers, and drag/drop easy click methods, Fantrax is sure to excite the serious fantasy sports fan – sign up now for a free year at Fantrax.com.